Evaluating Your Situation

Evaluating your situation is the first step toward helping yourself as a caregiver. You will be making many decisions and the tools on the following pages can help you become more aware of the issues you will have to address.

What is the condition of the person you are taking care of? How well does the care receiver perform his/her Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) ?
What are his or her needs?
How successful have you been in addressing those needs?
In what areas do you need help?
What outside assistance are you currently receiving?
Do you know what is available?
What is your condition as the caregiver?
What help do you need?

Professionals who deal with families as they work through caregiving issues have developed checklists to help you evaluate your situation and that of your family member. They can help you assess the cognitive, emotional, social, and functional level of the person you are assisting. That, in turn, will help professionals to help you.

It also helps to see the assessment information in writing.When you see a family member decline, it may be such a gradual process that you don't fully realize their level of need and how much responsibility you have taken on.

Evaluating Your Situation

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